Devon residents warned of police impersonation phone scams

Devon and Cornwall Police have issued a warning to residents regarding a phone scam where fraudsters impersonate police officers. The scammers reportedly use spoofed phone numbers to appear as legitimate local law enforcement and claim the victim is assisting with a criminal investigation.

To build trust, criminals may provide fake crime reference numbers and instruct victims not to discuss the matter with friends or family. Once a connection is established, they attempt to obtain sensitive personal and financial information. Dan Thorogood, head of contact services for Devon and Cornwall Police, noted that the fraudsters can be “very convincing as well as persuasive and demanding.”

Authorities emphasize that genuine police officers, banks, or fraud departments will never call unexpectedly to request sensitive personal details, card information, or money transfers. They will also not ask individuals to withdraw cash for a courier. Residents are advised to verify identities before sharing information and to report any suspicious activity to the police via 101 or through Action Fraud.